CHAPTER 09

Hearing my answer, Cassie buried her face in my chest. We stayed like that for a bit longer than usual. I've hugged her before but this time, it's different. It's was a warm and sweet hug.

Cassie: Chris....

She whispered.

Chris: Hmmmm.....

Cassie: It felt so good when you called me candy again.

I smiled and hold her a bit more tighter. After a while, we broke the hug and I sat back on the couch. She looked at me with guilty eyes.

Chris: What is it Candy?

Cassie: I'm sorry for troubling you this much.

Chris: Hey! Don't say things like that or I won't visit you again.

Cassie: Okay okay. I won't.

She was laying on the bed while I was on the couch. I leaned my head back on the bed again and closed my eyes. I was very tired. She put her hand on my head and started stocking my hair, massaging my scalp with her soft fingers. It felt so good and soothing. And I felt better after a long tiring day. I looked at her but she was in her deep thoughts as she didn't even noticed what she was doing. I decided not to interrupt her, I put my head back on the bed, closed my eyes and drifted off sleep.

A bit time later I felt like someone was tugging my hair roughly. I opened my eyes to see if Cassie's okay. She was not. She was having a nightmare again and sobbing badly. I stood up from the couch and sat on the edge of the bed. I stroke her cheek with my thumb softly and said.

Chris: Hey Cassie. Wake up.

It took her a minute to open her eyes. She looked at me and started crying. Seeing that, I kicked off my shoes and laid beside her on the bed. I hold her close to me and tried to calm her down.

Chris: Shhhh..... It's okay Cassie. You're okay. I'm here.

Cassie: You didn't leave my this time.

Chris: I promised you that I will stay.

We cuddle with each other and I said.

Chris: Close your eyes and go back to sleep. I won't let anyone hurt you candy I promise.

She closed her eyes and drifted off sleep. She slept so peacefully. Seeing her beautiful face I kissed her forehead and closed my eyes as well.

I heard a lady clearing her throat, I opened my eyes, it was Iris. Smiling sheepishly, looking at both of us. I looked at Cassie. She was awake and giggling shyly.

Cassie: Good morning.

Chris: Good morning beautiful. When did you wake up?

Cassie: Long ago. I tried to wake you up but you were in else world.

Iris: You never cuddled up with me like that Chris.

Chris: Not funny candy and shut up Iris.

Iris: Well I have a great news. Doctor said Cassie will be discharged today. Her father will be here at 3pm. We're taking you home.

Chris: Well that's a good news. I'll see you at home candy. 

I kissed her forehead and left. Once I was in my car I fished out my phone and called detective Dean.

Detective Dean: "Hello Mr Hunt. How can I help you?"

Chris: "I want a favor from you Detective. It's connected to the case, but you first have to confirm it."

Detective Dean: "Tell me. I'll see what I can do to help."

Chris: "We've told you about Mr Peterson?"

Detective Dean: "Yes. What about him?"

Chris: "He's some how connected to the case. He knew about Cassie's location and still stayed silent. I want to know when he got married?"

Detective Dean: "Wait! He's married?"

Chris: "He is now. I just wanna know when?"

Detective Dean: "So what his wedding has to do with the case?"

Chris: "I'll tell you everything. Just find out what I asked. Once everything is clear to me, I'll tell you."

Detective Dean:" Okay. I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

Chris: "Thank you Detective. Have a good day."

Detective Dean: "Thank you sir. You too."

"So many puzzle pieces in front of me, but a few missing. Once they are all in my hands, all I have to do is to place them together. And I will know Hendrick's game. I thought, but still I had to be sure so I called detective Dean, as Sam didn't know him. Telling agent Wolf or Scott could blow up everything. So I decided to play smarter than Hendrick. I put my phone back in my pocket and drove back to my parent's Villa. When I got home, I saw my mother baking cookies. I kissed her cheek and she smiled.

Stella: Good morning son. How is she doing now?

Chris: Good morning mother. She's better. Iris talked to the doctor. They said Cassie will be free today.

Stella: That's a really good news. I guess she'll have these cookies at her place today.

Chris: No mother. She's staying here with us.

Stella: Honey. Her father's here and he......

Chris: I've already talked to him. We're not taking any more risks.

Stella: Okay then. Now go and get ready. I'll get the breakfast ready for you.

Chris: Thank you mother.

I went to my room, took a quick shower and quickly got dressed in royal Black tux and went straight to the dinning hall. My father was having his breakfast.

Adam Hunt: Good morning young man.

Chris: Good morning father.

Adam Hunt: You look happy today,. What's the occasion?

Chris: Nothing father. Cassie will be discharged today.

Adam Hunt: Well that's a really good news.

Then we ate in silence. Once I finished my breakfast, I bid my good byes to my parents and head to the school.

HENDRICK BLACK'S POV:-

                        18 DAYS AGO.   

I left the hospital, knowing she's dead now. And I couldn't wait to meet her, but I had to wait for to her to get buried, so I could will my assistant to bury me besides her. I didn't want to be away from her even after death. I wanted her to be around me. She was mine, she is mine and SHE WILL ALWAYS BE MINE. No one could take her away from me. I was in my office afterwards. I cancelled all my meetings. I was eagerly waiting for the good news. I was walking back and forth in my office. Hours passed but nothing, at last I decided to call Quinn In my office and ask him myself.

Quinn: May I come in sir?

Hendrick Black: Yes! Tell me what you've got?

Quinn: It's a bad news sir.

I smiled. Finally music to my ears.

Hendrick Black: Not bad for me.

Quinn: No sir you don't understand. She's still alive and also made out of coma.

Hendrick Black: WHAT..!!????

I stood up in shock. "How is it possible? I saw the flat lines. How could she be alive? When did that happen?"

Hendrick Black: When did you come to know?

Quinn: Sir I can ex.......

Hendrick Black: Answer the damn question Quinn. When. Did. You. Come. To . Know?

I yelled at him. I wasn't really in the mood to play games. He hesitated but answered me eventually.

Quinn: The time you walked in and told me to keep my eyes and ears at the hospital.

Hendrick Black: Get out of here Quinn and don't show your face until I call you myself.

Quinn: No sir please. I beg you don't fire me I......

Hendrick Black: Oh you're not fired. You'll be back on the job but a few day will teach you a lesson about being obedient to me. Now Get Out. I don't want to see your face.

Quinn left and I sat back on my chair. I was so happy to have her to myself only but fate, fate turned all the tables around and I lost again. But I wouldn't just sit back and accept that I've lost. I started thinking about my next moves. I got rid of my tux coat and my tie. I opened three top buttons of my shirt and rolled up my sleeves. I stayed in my office the whole night to think, think and just think. I wasn't a stupid emotional freak who'll get drunk. I've never had a single drop of alcohol in my whole life. Yes! I was a womanizer. But I haven't even looked at another woman since I saw my Cassandra. Her gorgeous face, her innocent smile, her beautiful deep eyes and her sweet voice. I fell in love with her in the very second I saw her. I set her up with that jerk Peterson. That hungry jerk. I knew him very well. He only dated women for his own benefits. I was just thinking about her and my time with her. Those three weeks were the best weeks of my life. But they took her away from me. I waited 8 months to make my plan work. Only then I was able to see her like I've ever wanted. Right in front of me and on my mercy.

CASSIE'S POV:-

                            BACK IN TIME.

Chris left the hospital and Iris busied herself in some work. To be honest I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. Not because I had a bad mood or something. But because I was actually very happy after a long long time. When I woke up in the morning, I saw his Peaceful sleeping face. I smiled, actually it was the first time in 9 years, I've seen him sleeping. He looks adorably cute. He sleeps like a baby, and he was snoring. I tried to wake him up but instead of opening his eyes he tightened his hold on me. In a while I stopped struggling and gave in. I put my head on his chest, closed my eyes and inhaled his citrus and wood scent deeply. I enjoyed his warmth. Something had changed between us. Something was different. The time he kissed me, it all changed. I was enjoying his embrace when Iris stepped in and cleared her throat. God Iris. Always the bad timing. She cleared her throat again and Chris woke up. Damn it, I hate when ever she show up on the wrong time. We all made small chats, she teased Chris a bit, then she told me that I'll be free today.  Chris had already left. My father came in a while and Iris left for some meeting she had. My dad sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me in a big hug. I always liked when he hugs me like this. I was attached to my dad. He helped me in my life so much and I always made him feel proud on me.

David Wolf: How's my baby girl?

Cassie: I'm fine dad. I'm better.

David Wolf: We're leaving today.

Cassie: Yeah. I'm happy.

David Wolf: Christopher wants you to stay with Hunts until we arrest Hendrick Black.

Cassie: And what do you think?

David Wolf: I think it's the best idea. You'll be safe with them.

Cassie: As you wish dad.

David Wolf: And I'll be leaving soon.

Cassie: What! Why? I thought you'll stay here with me but you're going.

David Wolf: Try to understand baby. I have to go back to work. I'll visit you every week I promise. Not in this month. But from next month.

He kissed my temple and I smiled. At least he'll visit and I'll be with Hunts, so I'm not worried. I closed my eyes and welcomed all the comfort his embrace was providing me. I Wanted to be with him as long as he's here. Soon doctor came to my room and checked me up and approved me to be free. Mrs Hunt came in too and my father went to sign the discharge papers. Mrs Hunt asked me.

Stella: Are you excited to go back home?

Cassie: Only if you baked me cookies.

Stella: Of course I've baked you cookies.

My dad came back he packed my bags and Stella helped me to change. We left the hospital together. After one and a half hours drive we finally reached at Hunt's Villa. Scott and Iris were there to welcome me but I turned around and showed them my back.

Iris: What's wrong? Come on in.

Cassie: No.

Iris: What? Why not? Are you mad at me or something?

Cassie: Yes I am. Not only on you I'm also mad at Scott.

Scott: Wait what? Me? What did I do?

I turned to them and said.

Cassie: You said you both are waiting for me to wake up. I'm awake but I don't see any ring in your hands and you proposed her while I was unconscious.

They both smiled, understood what I was talking about. Scott fished out the ring from his pocket, sat on one knee, took her hand in his and said.

Scott: The time you came in to my life. It changed. You pulled me out of my comfort zone I've created. You make me smile you make me laugh. All my anger, my sorrows, my pains and my tears, they disappears just as I look at you angelic face. I share every single detail of my life with you because I know you keep my secrets safe. You're my friend, you're my love and you're my life and I can't think for a second to live my life without you. So Iris Hunt, I, Scott Lu, wants to be happily married with you. I want to be the one to see your beautiful face first in the morning. I want to love you, hug you, kiss you, protect you, respect you and help you to win every single battle of your life. I want to make you mine. I want to be with you every sunrise, and sunset. I want to enjoy every Easter, Halloween, Christmas and New year with you. So tell me. Will you make me the happiest man on Earth? Will you accept my proposal? Will you accept to live your life with me? I promise you my love, care and respect, till I turn grer and old. I promise you a happy life till death do us apart.

Iris's eyes were filled with tears of joy. It was like he opened his heart in front of all of us. Iris and Scott were friends with each other since childhood as their fathers are also friends. But the way he proposed her, it wasn't a question, it was a promise, promise to be together till the end. Even I could feel my emotions welled up and my father held me because I was crying. I knew Scott for years. Iris introduced us both. Scott was like a brother to me and I knew he is madly in love with Iris. But never dared to tell her. Always said, "what if she said no?" I forced him to propose her, to confess his love to her and when he did Iris happily accepted his love. Since then they have been dating each other. They're meant to be together. Every one was eagerly waiting for iris' reply. As she was silent. At last I decided to break the silence.

Cassie: Iris. Say something. We're waiting.

Iris: Well......